Start slaying demons from the proficiency panel.

Chen Peifeng and Daoist Kongxu sat on the back of the Iron-Eating Beast, meditating and cultivating while looking towards the opposite bank of the covered bridge.

"Master, a day has passed and Lord Ning has not returned yet. This martial arts tournament must be quite a lively affair."

"Don't let your mind wander; just wait patiently."

"Hey Master, look, Lord Ning is back."

Under their gaze, Ning Xiu walked across the covered bridge this time and easily arrived in front of them.

"Sorry to keep you waiting, let's set off now." Ning Xiu lightly touched the back of the Iron-Eating Beast with his toes and said to Pan Zhao, "Lord Pan, we have different purposes, so we won't travel together. Have a safe journey."

"May Lord Ning rest in peace," Pan Zhao replied, clasping his hands in greeting.

Although he couldn't bring Baili Yu back to the frontier today, with Baili Yu's capture, he has completed his mission abroad for many years and can finally return home in a legitimate way.

After descending Cangshan Mountain on their iron-eating beasts, the group quickly left the Cangshan area and headed back towards Jingzhou along the main road.

Given the speed of the Iron-Eating Beast, it should be able to reach Chaotiandu within two or three days.

……

[Spiritual Vision Technique: Level 8 (751/6000)] (+)

【Burning Sun Taiyao Scripture: Tenth Level (369/11000)】(+)

[Heavenly King Vajra Skill: Level 9 (Can be broken through)] (+)

【Fivefold Hammer Force: Ten Layers (1266/8000)】(+)

[Concealment Technique: Level 6 (0/3000)] (+)

[Seven Steps to Catch the Cicada: Eighth Floor (2897/6000)] (+)

General Proficiency: 1100

...

Ning Xiu significantly increased his proficiency in the Martial Arts Monument's consciousness world. However, due to the somewhat rushed situation at the time, he didn't have time to check it after completing the upgrade.

Looking at the proficiency panel now, he discovered something unusual.

[Heavenly King Vajra Skill: Level 9 (Can be broken through)]

Before this, Ning Xiu had seen two options: 'evolvable' and 'enterable body'. This was the first time he had seen the three completely new options: 'breakthrough', so he couldn't help but be curious.

Ning Xiu obtained the powerful Buddhist and Taoist body-refining technique, the Heavenly King Vajra Skill, from the Six-Character Golden Pearl. To this day, the creator of this technique remains unknown, but it must have been a high-ranking Buddhist or Taoist monk of the upper three ranks.

The fact that the King Kong Vajra Kung Fu has now shown signs of a potential breakthrough could mean that the high monk's self-created technique is not yet at its most perfect state and still has room for improvement.

That's interesting. Buddhism and Taoism have always regarded the Buddha's sixteen-foot golden body as the ultimate, and the sixteen-foot golden body is the strongest defensive body among the many methods of Buddhism and Taoism.

If this technique continues to advance, what will it look like when the Heavenly King state is activated? Could it possibly break through the height of the Sixteen-Foot Golden Body?

Driven by this curiosity, Ning Xiu directly chose to break through.

Immediately, the words following the Heavenly King Vajra Skill began to change, and two different breakthrough paths appeared.

【① Heavenly King Vajra Skill. Dragon Elephant Eight Treasures Dharma Form】(Selection)

【② Heavenly King Vajra Skill. Black Heaven Floating Pagoda Supreme Body】(Selection)

It seems that he can only choose one path to break through, but the names of both paths sound very powerful, which makes Ning Xiu quite conflicted.

Shouldn't an adult think, "I want it all"?

[072] Promoted to Bronze Leopard Demon-Slaying Captain

This was the first time Ning Xiu had ever seen a breakthrough in this cultivation technique.

It seems that even the eminent Buddhist and Taoist monks who created this technique were unable to reach its limits, but now, Ning Xiu, who possesses a proficiency panel, has seen it.

The term "dragon and elephant" has many interpretations in Buddhism and Taoism, but the most frequently mentioned one is that dragons in water are powerful and elephants on land are powerful. Therefore, Buddhism and Taoism use it to describe Arhats who are courageous in their practice and have great abilities.

The Eight Treasures refer to the Eight Auspicious Symbols and Eight Symbols, namely: Vase, Canopy, Double Fish, Lotus, Right-spiraling Conch, Auspicious Knot, Victory Banner, and **.

According to Buddhist and Taoist traditions, the Eight Treasures are offered by celestial beings and represent the eight great powers of the Buddha.

The vase embodies perfect wisdom and blessings, signifying perfect concentration and freedom from defilement. Located at the neck of the figure, it brings auspiciousness, purification of mind, and prosperity.

The canopy, symbolizing the protection of all beings like a protective umbrella, is located atop the head of the Buddha image. It can shield from the sun, moon, wind, rain, and demonic obstacles, and safeguard the true nature of the Buddha.

The two fish are located in the eyes of the Buddha, which can see through all beings and dive into the water, moving freely without hindrance.

The lotus flower is located on the tongue of the Dharma image, representing utmost purity and clarity, making it less likely for inner demons to arise and disrupt the path during cultivation.

The right-handed conch shell, symbolizing auspicious and melodious sound, is located at the neck of the image. When blown, it produces a vast, melodious, and resonant sound that is pure and beautiful, capable of freeing one from attachments and letting go of grudges.

The auspicious knot is located at the heart of the image, and its shape is formed by two overlapping swastikas. It can absorb the blessings of believers' faith.

The Victory Banner is shaped like a flag and represents supreme enlightenment, great victory, ultimate liberation, and the attainment of the true fruit of enlightenment.

Containing the meaning of 'the Great Law Wheel never ceases', located in the palm of the Buddha, it is a supreme treasure with immense destructive power.

This is a Dharma image with dragons, elephants, and the Eight Treasures. It is obvious at a glance that its power will be extraordinary after cultivation. It is an excellent choice.

The Supreme Body of the Black Heaven Floating Pagoda is clearly not simple either. Black Heaven is also known as Mahakala, a very special Buddha deity in Buddhism.

This Buddha has a majestic and fierce appearance, with three wide-open eyes, a bristling mane, a crown of five skulls, a skull bowl in his left hand filled with human blood, a crescent-shaped knife in his right hand, a short stick placed horizontally between his arms, and standing on two legs with a halo of karmic fire behind him.

Mahakala thus became the renowned Mahakala Floating Pagoda War God, possessing extraordinary strength. It is said that his true form is connected to the heavens, with his feet treading the River Styx and his head reaching the sky. Those who die by his blade do not enter the cycle of reincarnation, but are completely scattered throughout the world.

Because of its ferocious and terrifying appearance, the Buddha was adopted by the army as the guardian deity of its flags, signifying its ability to win every battle and annihilate all demon soldiers.

Choosing this breakthrough route is actually a very good option, but Ning Xiu was very conflicted for a moment.

After some hesitation, he still chose the Black Heaven Floating Pagoda Supreme Body. Compared with the Dragon Elephant Eight Treasures Dharma Form, this path is more suitable for martial arts combat, which is exactly what Ning Xiu needs at the moment.

After all, he was a Demon Slayer, and he would have many more opportunities to fight against evil spirits in the future. He could go to the front line when he became stronger.

When the Black Heavenly Pagoda manifests its power, I will no longer be an ordinary Demon-Subduing Officer.

As Ning Xiu chose the second breakthrough route, a brand-new technique based on the Heavenly King Vajra Technique immediately came to mind, which was related to the Black Heaven Floating Pagoda Supreme Body.

[Heavenly King Vajra Skill. Black Heavenly Floating Pagoda Supreme Body: Level 10 (0/11000)]

Ning Xiu's body then underwent a series of changes, with his internal blood and qi surging wildly and seeping out of his skin, turning into crimson flames resembling ink paintings.

Lost in thought, Ning Xiu flicked his fingers at a large tree a few feet away, and the flames around him instantly transformed into a fiery crimson blade that roared out. When it touched the tree, it instantly burned the entire tree into a withered log.

Ning Xiu would never have been able to do this before, but after breaking through the Heavenly King Vajra Technique, his control over his blood and internal energy has obviously improved a lot.

"Lord Ning's Blood Qi Flicking Finger technique is showing signs of evolving into a divine power. Congratulations!" Master Kongxu immediately said.

Ning Xiu hadn't expected that although this person wasn't very strong, his eyesight was quite accurate, so he nodded and replied, "Thank you."

After suppressing the strange phenomena on his body, Ning Xiu closed his eyes and began cultivating his technique. There were still several days' journey before he returned to Chaotian City, so he couldn't waste any free time on the way.

……

Master Chanhui entrusted the Corpse-Slaying Blade to Ningxiu, instructing him to send this precious treasure to Dalingyin Temple and ask a high-ranking monk to take care of it.

Ning Xiu had already gained tremendous opportunities during his trip to Yunxia Mountain, so he had no greed to steal the sword. He planned to escort Baili Yu and the Martial Dao Stele back to the Demon Subduing Division, and then take some time to visit the Great Lingyin Temple to return the sword.

Dalingyin Temple is not far from Chaotiandu, so it is very convenient to get there.

When they were only a mile or two away from the city gate of Chaotiandu, Ning Xiu asked the Demon Buddha Ning Xiu to hand over Baili Yu, whom he had knocked unconscious, to him. He planned to lead these people into the city himself.

The identity of Demon Buddha Ning Xiu is still too special to be directly exposed to others. It's better to keep him as your biggest trump card.

Ning Xiu, the Demon Buddha, was more than willing to accept Ning Xiu's arrangement. He left with his white butterfly, leaving Chen Peifeng and Daoist Kongxu quite puzzled.

Upon entering Chaotiandu, the capital of the Shang Dynasty was far superior to the small place where the two had previously lived. The atmosphere of prosperity and wealth immediately overwhelmed them, leaving Chen Peifeng and his companion somewhat dazzled.

Ning Xiu had no intention of taking them sightseeing. He urged the Iron-Eating Beast back to the headquarters of the Demon Subduing Division.

Do you need help?

Upon seeing that Ning Xiu was carrying a lot of things, two passing Iron Horse Demon Slayers immediately came over and asked him questions.

"Thank you. This person is named Baili Yu, and he has the strength of a third-grade martial artist. Please help me send him to the Demon Suppression Prison for imprisonment so that I can interrogate him later."

"Ok."

There is a strong spirit of mutual help within the Demon Extermination Division. If you are too busy, a Demon Extermination Officer who is free nearby will come to your aid.

Even though Baili Yu is only a third-rank martial artist, after arriving at the Demon Subduing Division, he has to behave himself like a shrimp swimming in the ocean and won't cause any trouble. As the capital city and the Demon Subduing Division are located at the same level, there are quite a few hidden masters in the shadows.

With someone helping him escort Baili Yu, Ning Xiu's tasks became easier. He returned the Iron-Eating Beast to the Beast Taming Workshop and handed over the fragments of the Martial Arts Stele. With that, he could consider his gains from this trip a success.

"Later I will go and exchange my identity token for the Bronze Leopard Demon Subduing Officer. Then I can create my own Bronze Leopard Squad. You two will be the first members of my team. From now on, we will work together for the Demon Subduing Division to protect the people of the world from being harmed by evil spirits." Ning Xiu turned to Chen Peifeng and Master Kongxu and said.

"Rest assured, Lord Ning, this is my lifelong wish," Chen Peifeng said, cupping his hands in a gesture of respect.

After returning the iron-eating beast to the Beast Taming Workshop, the fat fellow immediately ran into the iron cage where it originally lived, leaned against the wall, picked up some green bamboo from the ground, and started gnawing on it.

At the same time, a large number of people from the Beast Taming Workshop rushed over upon hearing the commotion, and took out buckets and bamboo brushes to clean the entire body of the Iron-Eating Beast. This fellow was quite docile; as long as there was a little food in its mouth, it would not move itself at all, without the slightest resistance.

Perhaps this is how they behave after being domesticated.

Ning Xiu waved goodbye to it, and the Iron-Eating Beast even waved its hand with great intelligence, looking extremely honest.

……

After the chaos caused by evil spirits began, strange and extremely dangerous objects, which were not living beings, would appear from time to time in various parts of the Great Shang territory.

After the Demon Suppression Officers discovered such items, in order to prevent them from being used by demons or harming unsuspecting civilians, the Demon Suppression Division ordered that these magical artifacts be brought back as far as possible.

The danger level will be assessed by professionals from the Demon Extermination Bureau, a storage method will be established, and then people will be dispatched to conduct comprehensive monitoring.

This place, specifically used to store various mysterious artifacts, is called the 'Destiny Pavilion'.

Items with such great influence, such as the Corpse-Slaying Blade and the fragments of the Martial Arts Monument brought back by Ning Xiu, should rightfully be included in the Si Ming Pavilion.

After asking around the Demon Subduing Bureau for directions, Ning Xiu quickly found the location of the Fate Pavilion.

Compared to any other building in the Demon Subduing Bureau, the style of this Fate Pavilion is extremely out of place. First of all, the roof looks like a canopy, with various golden bells and red ropes hanging below, and there is also a doll accompanying it.

Furthermore, the exterior of the Si Ming Pavilion was covered with dense talismans, creating a sinister atmosphere. Even before you got close, you could feel the cold wind blowing from inside the Si Ming Pavilion.

If Ning Xiuzhen hadn't known he was inside the Demon Subduing Bureau, he probably would have thought he had stumbled upon some evil place.

“This place is extremely ominous,” Master Kongxu immediately said.

"You two wait here for me. I'll go in and take a look by myself," Ning Xiu said, then carried the fragments of the Martial Dao Stele and the Corpse-Slaying Blade toward the gate of the Fate Pavilion.